All-wood, mechanically fastened mass timber technologies provide a pathway for meeting the state and regional US Forest Service goals of keeping forestland healthy and resilient in the context of climate change, increasing demand for products that utilize domestic wood, and supporting well-being in small communities near forestlands.1 A critical factor in achieving these goals is the ability to maintain easy access to user-friendly design guidelines, fabrication techniques, and updated code language that encourages affordable, locally sourced alternatives to high-performing ANSI-certified Cross-Laminated Timber (CLT) and other precisely engineered glue-laminated products. Demonstration buildings serve as an intuitive means of exploring questions related to new material technologies and sharing discoveries with a broader audience. This article documents new lessons learned while constructing a pilot welded-wood Nail Laminated Timber (wNLT) building in Guilford, Connecticut.
